NORTHAMPTON BOROUGH COUNCIL

NORTHAMPTON DISABLED PEOPLE’S FORUM

Friday, 24 July 2015

Present: Cllr Phil Larratt (Councillor Co –Chair), M De Rosario (Community Co Chair), J Forrest – Smith (Independent), Kerrie Chennell (Northampton Partnership Homes), Beverly Mennell (Partnership Homes), Cllr Rufia Ashraf (St James), B Barber (Independent), L Barber (Independent), Debbie Ferguson (NBC), Katie Billingham (Deaf Hub CIC), Rashmi Shah (Independent), Simon Burgess (Independent), Eira Bassett (Independent), Alice Morgan (NBC), Nisha Mejer (NBC)\*

\*Took minutes

WELCOMES, INTRODUCTIONS AND APOLOGIES

Apologies: Graeme Wilson (Northamptonshire Sport), Carl Weininger (Northampton Polio Fellowship), Stefanie Weldon (Northampton Association for the Blind)

Cllr Larratt opened the meeting and everyone introduced themselves.

MINUTES AND MATTERS ARISING

Minutes were agreed as a true record.

AM gave an update on item 4. AM had spoken to the Planning department, and it was felt that it may be more appropriate for the forum to be consulted on regeneration projects, rather than all planning applications. RS expanded further and suggested that the Forum should have further involvement than consultation. Cllr Larratt agreed and felt that the forum should be consulted on relevant planning applications, and added it would be good idea to be consulted at the pre application stage.

ACTION: AM to go back to the Planning department to feedback.

LB commented on the AOB item of the last meeting regarding Bellinge MUGA. LB reported that the litter problem is still persisting.

ACTION: AM to let the warden know.

NORTHAMPTON PARTNERSHIP HOMES - TACKLING ANTI SOCIAL BEHAVIOUR

KC from NPH explained how NPH tackle anti-social behaviour with tenants. KC explained the procedure for reporting neighbour disputes. Incidents can be reported in the following ways:

Telephone: 0300 330 7003 Email: asb@northamptonshirepartnershiphomes.org.uk Website: nph.org.uk Write to The Guildhall, St Giles Street, Northampton, NN1 ACTION: KC to send out full presentation.

DF explained that there were other ways to report incidents involving non tenants, through Northants Police and the council's Anti-Social Behaviour Unit. PL and RA highlighted the importance of maintaining a diary of incidents. BM questioned where different roles lay between the Police and NBC. DF explained this and stated that early intervention would always be recommended and restorative solutions will be implemented. KC explained the different types of measures that NPH take to tackle antisocial behaviour. Legal action is a last resort option and other preventative measures would be sought first working other partners including social services, environmental health, police to name but a few. KC also highlighted the importance of evidence and stated that support would be given. RA asked if there is support for people who have language barriers, or disabilities. KB asked what support there was for people whose first language is sign language, or have hearing difficulties. RS was also interested in what support is available for people who are blind or have visual impairment. KC advised that support is available depending on the needs of each individual, including interpreters. BM asked how information on the service reaches people with disabilities, such as blind people. AM shared that Northampton Association for the Blind have a county wide newsletter, which is available in accessible formats.

ACTION: AM to send KC contact details for the NAB Communications team.

RA asked who non-council tenants should contact if they wanted to complain about their neighbours, who may not be aware of the procedure. DF stated that people who ring NBC would be put through to the right department. RA added that is would be useful for Councillors to receive information about the procedure for tenants, and asked if NPH could circulate this information.

ACTION: KC to send out literature to councillors, who can then advise tenants in their wards as appropriate.

COMMUNITY BUS STOP - TOWN CENTRE

AM discussed the forum’s concerns regarding an accessible community bus stop for the town centre. The forum has been asked for ideas for the most appropriate location for the bus stop to meet their needs.

Various ideas were discussed, including:

- Original Door to Door Service drop off location, outside the Moon on the Square. It was agreed that the stop needs to be close to or on the Market Square.
- Mercers Row, by the accessible taxi’s, in order to be close to Abington Street.

It was discussed that a variety of locations around the town would be ideal, to ensure accessibility to various parts of the town.

ACTION: AM to feed this back. ACTION PLANS

AM addressed the points in the action plan.

Hate Crime – AM advised the forum that she is working with Luisa Jepson, Hate Crime Coordinator for Northants Police, on a survey for the Northampton Community Forums to use to engage with local communities about their experiences of hate crime. This idea came out of the LGBTQ forum, and it was agreed this may be useful in the Diverse Communities and Disabled Peoples forum also. LJ and AM are designing a draft survey, which will be circulated to the forum for their comments. It is planned for this survey to be launched at the Umbrella Fair on 15th August, where the LGBTQ forum will have a presence, amongst other community groups.

ACTION: AM to circulate draft survey to forum members for their comments.

KB stated that the survey should contain simple language and easy to understand. BM spoke to the Forum about the term of “disablism” which is similar to racism for disabled people. BM felt that more awareness of this term is required.

AM discussed the idea of an event for International Day for Persons with Disabilities, as suggested by forum members at previous meetings. This specific day falls on 3rd December.

ACTION: AM to formulate a plan to bring to the forum at the next meeting.

COMMUNITY INFORMATION EXCHANGE

BB read out an article from the Door to Door Service, which referred to a reduction in their funding. BB expressed her disappointment in this.

AM shared a letter from NBC’s Electoral Services, outlining the Polling Stations review. Members of the Disabled Peoples Forum are invited to participate. Comments to be made by 13th September.

ITEMS FOR NEXT AND FUTURE MEETINGS

Issues such as Shop Mobility and the Disabled Go Website will be raised.

BM wanted the issue the issue of pre-fabricated properties to be raised, in addition Disability Facility Grants.

Deaf Hub would like to attend a meeting to present about their work – suggested for the November meeting.

BB proposed for Jenny Osbourne from Northamptonshire Carers to attend.

RS asked if the Head of Wellbeing or Head of Sheltered Housing could attend.

DATE OF THE NEXT MEETING

The next meeting of the Disabled Peoples Forum will be held on Friday, 25 September 2015.